President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus visited the Military Air Force Base in Zokniai  where NATO Baltic air-policing mission is deployed.

The President underlined that the NATO principle of collective defence is the strongest cornerstone of our security. “The best illustration of this is the air-policing mission deployed here, in Zokniai, which does not only guard the Baltic airspace but also ensures stability in the entire region,” President said.

President Adamkus underlined the need to continue this mission and said Lithuania was lucky to have such strong allies who can help to maintain stability. “Such missions are the best evidence of cooperation not only among military forces but also among individual states. They show that we are not alone and will not be left alone in difficult situations,” President Adamkus further said.

In Zokniai, Lithuania's President also inspected F-15C fighter jets and watched their Tango Scramble.